The clanging of the opening bells on Plastic Ono Band announced John Lennon as an artist independent of that hysterical epidemic known as the Beatles.The succinctly titled "Mother" is an immaculate choice for the kickoff track of Plastic Ono Band.The first peals resound and dissipate slowly, establishing a period of suspense and a steady time signature, both of which reflect the kind of patience necessary for listeners to fully appreciate this album. If the bells are the question, the held breath, then the answer is the wail that, half a minute in, breaks directly on the beat. Listeners everywhere, even today’s twentysomethings, instantly recognize that voice as Lennon’s. It is transcendent, layered, almost like a man echoing himself.In 1970, fresh off the breakup of the Beatles, Lennon enlisted the help of producer Phil Spector, who had recently pieced together Let It Be from abandoned recording sessions. Lennon’s managed to dial down the "wall of sound" style of mixing for which the producer was known. The result is a lo-fi, pared-down return to the core elements of rock music.